The victims were rushed to the Binh Duong General Hospital for emergency treatment, Vietnam News Agency reported.

Eyewitnesses said they heard a loud crashing sound coming from the avenue and saw that a coach of the Thanh Cong Bus Services, travelling from Binh Phuoc to HCM City, had hit the central divider, before turning upside down.

It was raining hard when the accident occurred.

More than 20 passengers stuck in the bus were crying for help. Immediately, tens of people living nearby rushed to upturn the vehicle and carry the injured to the hospital.

According to doctors at the Binh Duong General Hospital, the majority of victims suffered injuries to the face, head and body due to the severe impact and broken glass. A child who suffered deep head injury underwent a CT scan to check for serious medical complications.

The news agency reported that a section of the barrier on the central reservation some 10m long was shattered due to the impact of the crash, and the vehicle's front was severely damaged and its glass doors and windows broken.

Provincial authorities arrived at the scene shortly after the accident and cleared the traffic jam on the road. Investigations into the case are under way. — VNS